Metro Transit has confirmed one of the brothers killed in an apparent murder-suicide in White Bear Township New Year’s Day worked as bus operator for them.
The daughter of one of the victims said they are Larry Klimek and Lee Klimek. Larry worked for nearly five years with Metro Transit.
“As we heard the news we could feel the ripple and everybody had the same take your breath away moment,” said Howie Padilla, spokesperson for Metro Transit.
Larry's daughter Stephanie Klimek said on a Facebook post her "estranged uncle" shot Larry during their grandmother's annual New Year's Day potluck.
“He is seriously missed beyond words,” said Stephanie. “He didn’t deserve this. He was an amazing family man, fun guy.”
It was 3:45 PM Tuesday, when Ramsey County Deputies and SWAT officers responded to a home on the 5400 block of Centerville Road in White Bear Township. People were seen running from the home when law enforcement arrived.
Padilla said Klimek’s colleagues already miss his big personality. He said Larry was larger than life according to his co-workers and was always willing to help a fellow employee.
“There’s some peer support that’s happening at the Nicollet garage where he most recently worked. Obviously, we’re doing everything we can to support them,” said Padilla.